View full sizeExpress-Times File ImageA 2007 rendering of Dunn Twiggar's plan for The Waterfront complex along the Lehigh River in Allentown.

Private redevelopment of the former Lehigh Structural Steel site in Allentown will soon be moving forward, the developer announced today.

Dunn Twiggar’s plans to develop the 26-acre site to a mixed-use complex called The Waterfront was in jeopardy because of financing difficulties, but a new partnership with Jaindl Properties is allowing the project to move forward, officials said.

The Allentown Commercial Industrial Development Authority voted to take ownership of the land if Dunn Twiggar didn’t close on the property by July. Jaindl Properties President Mark Jaindl said his company’s involvement should allow the project to proceed by then.

“I feel fairly comfortable we will settle by July 1,” he said. “This will solve the financing issues.”

Jaindl said the company is putting some of its own money toward the project and has obtained additional private financing.

Dunn Twiggar, of Hanover Township, Northampton County, in 2007 announced its plans for The Waterfront, which at the time included a marina, half-mile riverside walk, amphitheater and several multistory buildings housing restaurants, stores, a 90-room hotel, offices, town houses and condominiums.

The city has used a $300,000 state grant to have Baltimore-based planning firm EDSA Inc. perform a master plan for the entire 120-acre waterfront, which spans 1.3 miles along the western bank of the Lehigh River from the Hamilton Street Bridge to Route 22 and out to Front Street.

The firm so far is recommending 1.5 million square feet of industrial land, 1.4 million square feet of office space, 137,000 square feet of entertainment and 81,000 square feet of retail, as well as 500 rental units and a 225-room hotel. EDSA is expected to present preliminary recommendations in February and present the final plan for city consideration by April.

View full sizeExpress-Times File Photo | MATT SMITHAllentown is looking to redevelop 120 acres along the Lehigh River waterfront, as seen here from the Hamilton Street Bridge.

“We really feel it’s going to be a great addition to the revitalization of downtown Allentown,” he said.

Dunn Twiggar principal Ryan Dunn did not return a call for comment today. In a statement, he said his company was excited to partner with Jaindl Properties because of their “experience in real estate development and more particularly, an extensive banking and financing background.”

Despite the Allentown Commercial Industrial Development Authority’s vote to take ownership of the property if the Dunn Twiggar plans fell through, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has said the city has remained interested in the private development of the site if it were possible.

“We welcome the participation of Jaindl Properties in the redevelopment of the former Lehigh Structural Steel site,” he said in a statement today. “The coming on board of Jaindl Properties may be the impetus needed to make it a reality.”